Notifications During Navigation (Maps)

Question

ME2008 Author

Level 1

3 points

Notifications During Navigation (Maps)

Has anyone else found the iPhone as a GPS in its current form is a dangerous distraction whilst driving?

Frankly I am surprised that Apple have not found themselves in litigation over this. A recent driver awareness course I attend cited fiddling with phones as 4 times more dangerous (in terms of number of accidents) than drink and drug driving combined (source Dorset Driver Awareness Scheme, UK, 2013)

When used as a navigation aid, the iPhone does nothing to limit driver distraction via all manner of notifications. The only option at present is to go into settings and disable notifications for every App one by one!

At start of navigation the Maps app ought to display a warning informing notifications and communications (messages, phone calls etc) will be suspended whilst in navigation mode. There could be an override in case for example where the navigation aid is being used by a passenger. It may be prudent that when in navigation mode the iPhone acts solely as navigation aid.

Night time use is very distracting. The screen is far too bright. Dimming the screen (by going into settings to adjust the brightness) results in very poor contrast which makes it difficult to read. (it is also time consuming to get to the setting and you have to remeber to reset it when you finish nighttime navigation). The iPhone has a light sensor (camera), knows the time of day and time of sunrise//sunset (GPS info). It ought to be able to switch itself to a more suitable night time colour scheme automatically.

Screen layout is less that ideal. whilst the 3D maps are great, the extended information for items like ETA (found when you tap the moving map) are too small to read conveniently and you end up squinting to see them. Another dangerous distraction.

Someone is going to be injured or killed as a result of someone being distracted by a notification for a text, a call, or facebook update or even a someone playing their turn at scrabble when they ought to be paying attention to the road. I am sure that the fine print Apple issue warns and advises against about such misuse. However, in practical terms this is how iPhone Maps navigation is used by a great many people.

It seems to me Apple are in a position to improve a critical safety issue with the use of the iPhone. Anyone have any feelings about this?

iPhone 5, iOS 6.1.4

Posted on Aug 20, 2013 10:30 AM

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Answer 1

Aug 20, 2013 11:44 AM in response to ME2008

If you are so easily distracted, you should not be using a cell phone while driving, for any reason. There are standalone GPS devices that will probably better meet your needs. Or even other navigation programs (if you are able to ignore the other features of the phone). It sounds as if you might like Waze.

You can submit your feedback to Apple here:

http://www.apple.com/feedback

I don't look at my phone while using it for navigation. That's what the spoken turn by turn directions are for. If the brightness of the screen is a problem, turn down the brighness or turn the phone over.

Many, many tools are dangerous if you don't use them properly, use them under the wrong conditions or don't have the skills necessary to use them (said without snarkiness. I don't go near power tools for just this reason).

Best of luck.

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Answer 2

ME2008 Author

Level 1

3 points

Aug 20, 2013 12:30 PM in response to pdroth

I live in the UK and my observations are a result of recently attanding a road safety awareness course (as a result of a speeding infringement - not phone related - I'm far from flawless!). My observations were upon reflection on the shocking statistics presented at the course regarding accidents involving mobile devices.

Road safety rests with the driver, however, whist Apple provide a device that effectively serves as a useful navigation aid, and as a communication aid, I am asking a) if the having default options that provide the same onscreen and audible notifications when in and out of navigation mode and b) if the current very long winded system to diable notifications during navigation are sensible default behaviors that show the supplier has taken every reasonable measure to maximise safety when using the iPhone.

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Answer 3

Aug 20, 2013 1:42 PM in response to ME2008

ME2008 wrote:

,I am asking if...... show the supplier has taken every reasonable measure to maximise safety when using the iPhone.

Yes, I believe they have met their responsibility. It is up to me to use any tools I own responsibly.

Turning off notifications simply requires that you enable Do Not Disturb, hardly "very long winded".

Best of luck.

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Answer 4

ME2008 Author

Level 1

3 points

Aug 20, 2013 1:49 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

"Do Not Disturb" is one approach, possibly the best under the current system, but it requires that you enter a start and stop time. That's not intuitive as it does not sit well with what's required which is do not post notifications whilst I am using navigation.

Also "meeting their responsibility" is not the same as "taken every reasonable measure". Why not implement a simpler (or perhaps default) means of disabling notifications whilst navigation is enabled if it if were to make the phone safer for at least some usage scenarios?

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Answer 5

KiltedTim

Level 10

226,008 points

Aug 20, 2013 1:54 PM in response to ME2008

ME2008 wrote:

"Do Not Disturb" is one approach, possibly the best under the current system, but it requires that you enter a start and stop time.

No, it doesn't. Perhaps you should try reading the manual.

You are solely responsible for your actions behind the wheel.

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Answer 6

KiltedTim

Level 10

226,008 points

Aug 20, 2013 2:03 PM in response to ME2008

The best way to solve your particular problem is.

A) Figure out where you're going before you leave.

B) Shut off your phone and pay attention to driving. For the sake of all our safety, please turn off your radio as well.

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Answer 7

ME2008 Author

Level 1

3 points

Aug 20, 2013 2:19 PM in response to KiltedTim

The advice given by the police driver awareness course is:

- Enter route in advance.

- Ensure satnav is not mounted on windshield and is does not interfere with field of view

- Use voice prompts

- Turn display away from you so you cannot be distracted looking at map.

There are a many other recommedations for responsible roadcraft and reducing source of distraction is of course part of that.

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Answer 8

Aug 20, 2013 2:23 PM in response to ME2008

ME2008 wrote:

The advice given by the police driver awareness course is:

- Use voice prompts

- Turn display away from you so you cannot be distracted looking at map.

Huh. Guess I know what I'm talking about, then. 🙂

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Answer 9

Aug 20, 2013 2:25 PM in response to KiltedTim

KiltedTim wrote:

For the sake of all our safety, please turn off your radio as well.

And do not, under any circumstances drive with small children in the car unless they are sedated (ok, that's good advice for pretty much everyone).

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Answer 10

pdroth

Level 5

5,171 points

Aug 20, 2013 11:53 AM in response to ME2008

Depending on which state you reside, using a phone in any manner whatsoever while driving is illegal.

Like Meg states, perhaps a GPS unit would better suit your needs while you're driving.

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Answer 11

ME2008 Author

Level 1

3 points

Aug 20, 2013 1:54 PM in response to ME2008

Actually Do Not Distirn - does not fit the bill at all, it only mute notifications whilst the phone is locked. Since you have the Maps app running and active, notification will still come through.

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Answer 12

KiltedTim

Level 10

226,008 points

Aug 20, 2013 2:22 PM in response to ME2008

So what is your technical support question for this community?

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Answer 13

wjosten

Level 10

95,369 points

Aug 20, 2013 2:54 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

What about reading the newspaper? Every morning I see 2 ~ 3 folks doing that, & they seem to be doing OK, as well as those I see putting on makeup...they don't seem to have issues 😎.

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Answer 14

KiltedTim

Level 10

226,008 points

Aug 20, 2013 3:20 PM in response to wjosten

wjosten wrote:

What about reading the newspaper?

They still make newspapers?

😕

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